Pink Puck Ice Lime Refresher

Left, without green tea
Right, with green tea

Living in the world of hockey, we’re used to staying cool. As the temperatures rise, unless you’re in the rink all day, it can be hard to keep your cool intact. Many of the ladies on our Pink Puck roster are fans of Starbucks “Cool Lime Refresher” when it comes to beating the heat. At almost $5 for a venti sized serving, we ventured off to make our own cost effective version. Quick and easy to make, here is our version of the “it” drink of summer.

Pink Puck Ice Lime Refresher
3 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice – 1 lime should make 1-2 drinks. (Fresh is key, you can use bottled lime juice in a pinch but we don’t recommend it.)
3/4-1 tbsp Sugar (Feel free to use Stevia or a sugar substitute, it will alter the taste a little bit)
2 Mint Leaves
Approx 1 cup ice
8-oz water

*Optional, 2 Lime Slices, sliced thin as garnish.
*Optional, Green Coffee Extract. The extract is used in the Starbucks version to give it an extra caffeinated boost, it can be purchased at any health food store. If you don’t have it, it’s not a deal breaker and the refresher is just as well, refreshing without it.
**We’ve also been known to substitute 4 tbsp steeped green tea and that gives it a nice taste as well. It’s all about preference.

In a large glass, combine lime juice and sugar. Stir well until sugar is dissolved in the lime juice. Quick chop the two mint leaves and lightly crush them to release a bit of flavor (we use the back of our stirring spoon). Drop the leaves in with the lime juice and sugar. Fill the glass about 2/3 full of ice, then top with water. Use a spoon or straw to give the drink a gentle stir before serving. Drop in the two thin lime slices as garnish and added flavor.